The end of an era! I finished cleaning out my office today as part of a transition to a home office. I'm excited about reducing my commute -- and the sort of work I do lends itself to a home office.

But I was dreading cleaning out twelve years of accumulated stuff. And while I've been in this office for 12 years I've actually had the same desk for nearly 19 years. Going through the drawers today I found half a box of business cards from the very first Woodward & McDowell campaign I was part of -- Yes on 111 & 108 in June, 1990. That was so long ago the area code for our office on the Westside was still 213.

I got a little emotional when I saw the cards because when I took that job as the "Central Coast Field Representative" I figured it was for just a four-month gig.

The last thing I took out of my office was my Taxfighter outfit -- complete with hat, gloves, cape and sword. It's hung on the side of my bookcase for the last several years after I was awarded it on Election Night following the No on 56 campaign (56 would have made it easier for the California Legislature to increase taxes).

I can't tell you how many people have been in the my office and mentioned something or other that caught their eye, but no one has EVER inquired about the Taxfighter outfit hanging there for the world to see. I wonder if that says more about them or me?

Another Day in Hollywood

The "Top Hats" are kicking their way through the holidays by performing a few nights a week at The Grove.

They dramatically enter the Town Square (aka the center of the mall) via Trolley. Clang, clang, clang.

It's something of a poor man's "Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall." But the price is right for these troubled economic time -- it's free.

Jason Alexander continues to dig a grave for the Reprise Theater Company as it's Artistic Director.

This time he's doing it by choosing to present "I Love My Wife" and then "starring" in it. (Yet again proving Reprise has become the Jason Alexander Vanity Project.)

Originally presented on Broadway in 1977, this musical is about two couples who decide to swap to keep up with the sexual revolution. Sadly, the show is as relevant today as bell bottoms. (Interestingly, the show's book was rewritten and the couples made 15 years older to accommodate Jason Alexander casting himself.)

The usually reliable Cy Coleman's music is pretty lame here. And unlike Reprise shows of the past that presented a large cast singing and dancing before a live orchestra, this show features a cast of four along with four musicians who sometimes join in the singing and moving the scenery.

Like Howard Hughes trying to fly the Spruce Goose, this show barely started to get out of the water whenever Patrick Cassidy was singing and dancing, only to crash back down whenever "George Castanza" returned to the spotlight. (It's amazing how much Patrick resembles his dad, Jack Cassidy.)

The audience was stunned into silence during intermission by how bad the show was and fled as soon as it was over (those who stayed for the Second Act).

And I could have lived a happy life without ever seeing Jason Alexander eating banana cream pie with his shirt off.

The Golden Globe nominations are out and I'm excited about working my way down the list.

Sunday I went to the French film "I've Loved You So Long," nominated for two Golden Globes -- Best Foreign Language Film and Best Dramatic Actress for Kristin Scott Thomas.

I really enjoyed how this moving movie unfolded. Information is revealed bit by bit so you can figure it out as it goes along. Very suspenseful.

Scott Thomas plays a woman just out of prison trying to resume her life after doing time for an unthinkable crime.

Friday night I went to see "The Reader," nominated for four Golden Globes. I didn't know much about the movie, just it had been nominated for Golden Globes and had something to do with the Holocaust.

This is the sort of movie that the less you know going in the better off you are. And it certainly raises some interesting questions about the humanity behind one of the world's most inhumane moments.

Before the Golden Globe nominations came out, I caught "Frost/Nixon" on Tuesday night. It went on to be nominated in five categories.

I saw this show as a play in London in early 2007 and though I thought the movie was a good one, it was more powerful as a live stage production. There was something about seeing Frank Langella become Richard Nixon right before your very eyes that was simply amazing.

But it's absolutely worth seeing as a movie.

Christmastime

Went to my first Christmas party of the year last night -- the venerable "Wheelspinners" party. Started in 1961, this annual gathering of Southland politicos is always interesting. I've been going since 1981 and doubt that I've missed more than 2 in the intervening 27 years, including the 4 Decembers I lived in Washington, DC.

There was no "Wheelspinners" party last year so I was glad to see the tradition continue this year.

It was nice to see political guru Stu Spencer at the party. Spencer and his business partner, Bill Roberts (my political mentor), pioneered the concept of political consulting as a full-time profession when they opened their firm, Spencer-Roberts in the early 60s. They went on to run Ronald Reagan's gubernatorial campaigns in 1966 and 1970 after first managing Rockefeller's California primary campaign in 1964.

Woodward & McDowell, my employer, was founded in 1971 after Dick Woodward and the late Jack McDowell left Spencer-Roberts following the 1970 Reagan campaign.

After the party GeezBob and I had dinner at the tomato-obsessed restaurant "Ketchup" on the Sunset Strip. Tomato pictures on the wall, red napkins, even a real tomato in a plastic case on every table. Too bad I don't really like tomatoes.

I had the $19 Sloppy Joe, which was way too sweet and expensive. If you're going to be all about the home-made ketchup should the fries at least be good? They weren't, really.

So, been there once -- no need to go back. Good luck with your business.

Bad News Bears

Saturday must have been a tough day for Joe and Josephine Bruin as the USC Trojans defeated the UCLA Bruins 28 to 7.

This is what a rivalry looks like -- with both teams wearing their home jerseys (despite an NCAA rule prohibiting it). Both teams were pretty fired up and had to be separated by coaches and referees before the game began.

Once again USC gets to keep possession of the Victory Bell which goes back and forth to whichever team wins the annual game.

How sick am I of this UCLA Alumni Yell Leader and his helper in the old-timey sweater? The Bruins have stepped up his role since I last saw him at the Rose Bowl two years ago. Now he's got better amplification and even shows up on the video board leading chants. Are UCLA graduates so lame they really need this guy holding up B-R-U-I-N-S signs so they know how to spell Bruins?

Coach Pete Carroll (with briefcase) leads the team into the locker room before the game.

The Trojan Marching Band sure looked good taking the field at the Rose Bowl before the game.

Is this supposed to be funny?

It was nice to see the real Traveler at the Rose Bowl for the game. Usually they don't bring him to the USC vs. UCLA game when it's at the Rose Bowl out of concern over Bruin tricksters.

A military flyover followed the National Anthem.

Later on I saw the pilots talking with the annoying Alumni Yell Leader, leading me to think they might be Bruins. But it's hard to imagine the Air Force would endanger the crowd of 87,790 by making such a foolish decision.

This was a funny display at one pre-game party.

How great is it that a guy sitting in front of me at the Rose Bowl was wearing this t-shirt? When the USC vs. UCLA game is at the Coliseum I can count on a certain guy two rows in front of me to wear it. But I didn't expect to see it on the road.

On Friday I had my traditional pre-game lunch at Casa Vega, the darkest Mexican restaurant in the San Fernando Valley. My favorite Bruin, Debbie Calvo, once again had the opportunity to buy my lunch since USC beat UCLA last year. We bet again on this year's game and Debbie once again is entitled to buy me lunch. Hard to believe we've been doing this bet for 27 years.

Thursday night I went to the Mann's Chinese Theater at Hollywood & Highland to see Charlie Kaufman's bizarre film "Synedoche New York."

Starring Phillip Seymour Hoffman, it's about a small theater director who receives a grant and decides to produce a play about his life. Soon the play takes over his life as the show, never seen by an audience, features a guy playing the director directing a guy playing the director, etc.

I actually found it intriguing and trippy.

Friday night I went to the Century City Mall to see the new 007 movie "Quantum of Solace" (which I thought was pretty good).

But this new store at the mall caught my eyes -- Hotel for Dogs. Seemed to me the the mall was a pricey place to open a new dog kennel. I peered inside the closed glass doors and it sure looked fancy. It wasn't until later that I realized the whole thing was an elaborate ad for a new movie coming out in January. Doh!